Art Hotes' Blog

Lots of Potential Here in this Almost 5,000 Sq.Ft. Home! Plenty of room for Entertaining family or guests in the Family Room, Living & Dining Rooms, Solarium and Finished Lower Level. Enjoy your own Tennis Court and In-Ground Pool, complete with Diving Board & Slide! Convenient Changing Area in the centrally located Pool House or Storage Room. Extra Detached 2-Car Garage with Separate Living Suite/Apartment Above. Lots to list and See Here! Call for Your Appointment to Take a Look Today! This is a Great Investment Opportunity!!

L2L Property Websites AR

All information contained herein is deemed to be accurate but not guaranteed.

Art Hotes, CNE, e-PRO®
General Manager
Liquid Blue Realty ~ Serving Northeastern Ohio
Direct: 330-242-4640
Office: 440-973-6299
eFax: 888-241-4679
mailto:Art@ArtHotes.com
http://www.ArtHotes.com

435 Center Road - Bedford, OH 44146

Art Hotes, CNE, e-PRO® (Liquid Blue Realty) — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 08:04:11 -0800

Schedule a Showing/Request Info

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What is your home worth?

Art Hotes

Liquid Blue Realty

440-973-6299

Questions?
Schedule a Showing!

MLS#: 3369071

Information valid for the date of this posting only. Please contact us for the most current information and status of this property.

435 Center Rd

Bedford, OH

Scan with your smartphone & take me with you.

Description

Features

Photos

Maps & Local

Schools

Virtual Tour

JUST LISTED

Clean & Move-in Ready Ranch!

$ Click for current price

3 BEDROOMS

2 BATHROOMS (1 full, 1 half)

1176 Square Feet

Clean & Move-in Ready! This charming, freshly painted Ranch-style home has LOTS to offer!! The major items in the home have been updated: Roof, Furnace & A/C, Vinyl Replacement Windows, and Kraftmaid Kitchen Cabinets! Lifting up the Main Floor carpeting will reveal the splendor of the original Hardwood Floors. The fenced backyard offers a newer stained deck with privacy lattice fence, a detached garage, and a custom-built fort/swingset for the kids!

**Call Today to schedule your showing!**

L2L Property Websites AR

All information contained herein is deemed to be accurate but not guaranteed.

14419 Settlers Way - Strongsville, OH 44149

Art Hotes, CNE, e-PRO® (Liquid Blue Realty) — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 08:01:21 -0800

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What is your home worth?

Art Hotes

Liquid Blue Realty

440-973-6299

Questions?
Schedule a Showing!

MLS#: 3367768

Information valid for the date of this posting only. Please contact us for the most current information and status of this property.

14419 Settlers Way

Strongsville, OH

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Description

Features

Photos

Maps & Local

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Full Virtual Tour

Welcome Home to 14419 Settlers Way!

$ Click for current price

2 BEDROOMS

2 BATHROOMS (2 full)

1546 Square Feet

Welcome Home to 14419 Settlers Way, a Cape-Cod style cluster home in Settlers Village. Conveniently located near shopping, parks, playgrounds, and restaurants! Enjoy the large great room and dining room, or entertain outdoors on your own private patio! There are 2 well-proportioned bedrooms, an office, and an upstairs loft with a slider to your own outdoor balcony! You`ll love this well-maintained cluster home with the newer major items (furnace, A/C, hot water tank, and more). There is also an attached 2.5 car garage with extra storage space to round out this great home! **Stop by for a visit today!**

L2L Property Websites AR

All information contained herein is deemed to be accurate but not guaranteed.

542 Darlington Drive - Bedford, OH 44146

Art Hotes, CNE, e-PRO® (Liquid Blue Realty) — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 06:09:08 -0700

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Cuyahoga County, OH Homes for Sale

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Art Hotes

Liquid Blue Realty

440-973-6299

Art@ArtHotes.com

MLS#: 3300273

Information valid for the date of this posting only. Please contact us for the most current information and status of this property.

542 Darlington Drive

Bedford, OH

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STOP THROWING YOUR MONEY AWAY ON RENT!

$ Click for current price

2 BEDROOMS

1 BATHROOMS (1 full)

699 Square Feet

Cute as a Button and Priced to sell Quickly! This cozy Ranch feels Brand New! Lots of Renovation Work has been Done throughout this Home using Cuyahoga County's Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP)...Check it out! Renovations include: New Kitchen, New Bath, New Energy Efficient Furnace, Plumbing, Electrical 100 Amp Panel, Roof, Ice Guard, and Garage to name a few! Violation Free POS. Close to the Heart of Bedford, Bedford High School, parks & More! This Home is offered to Owner Occupying First Time Homebuyers Only & Sold As-Is. Home Warranty Provided. Call for Details.

L2L Property Websites AR

All information contained herein is deemed to be accurate but not guaranteed.

2170 Osage Trail - Sharon Twp., OH 44281

Art Hotes, CNE, e-PRO® (Liquid Blue Realty) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:40:21 -0800

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Art Hotes

Liquid Blue Realty

440-973-6299

Art@ArtHotes.com

MLS#: 3222522

Information valid for the date of this posting only. Please contact us for the most current information and status of this property.

2170 Osage Trail

Sharon Twp, OH

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Single Family, Colonial - Sharon Twp, OH

$ Click for current price

4 BEDROOMS

4 BATHROOMS (3 full, 1 half)

3100 Square Feet

TO BE BUILT: The Marcella Model by Maxus Builders in the Blue Ridge Estates Sharon Twp Highland Schools Open Concept Design 1st Floor Master Suite Formal Dining Private Library/Study 2 Acre Lot 3-Car Garage and More! Build This Home or Choose Another Floor Plan Other Homesites Available! Call for More Information.

L2L Property Websites AR

All information contained herein is deemed to be accurate but not guaranteed.

Duplex for Sale in Parma OH 44134

Art Hotes, CNE, e-PRO® (Liquid Blue Realty) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 07:01:45 -0800

Multi-Family Duplex, Side-by-Side - Parma, OH

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Call: 440-973-6299 for more information on this or any other property.

Information valid for the date of this posting only. Please contact us for the most current information and status of this property.

Visit Property Website

Courtesy :
Art Hotes
Art@ArtHotes.com
440-973-6299

Attention investors!! Charming colonial side-by-side duplex with large beautiful fenced in backyard - both units feature 3 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, eat-in kitchen, finished basement with utility room, and central air. Separate utilities and two-car garage. Updated electrical breakers 2003, plumbing 2010, and newer windows in both units. East unit has new hot water tank 2011. Close to Parma Recreational Center, schools, shopping, parks and more! ** Great opportunity for an owner occupant or investor **

4715 Yorkshire Avenue,
Parma, OH
6 Bedrooms
Bathrooms: 2 full, 2 half
List Price : Get Current Price
Living Area Approx : 2572

I want to see this property.

HTML Editor

Art Hotes, CNE, e-PRO® (Liquid Blue Realty) — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 21:53:11 -0800

I'm sorry to say that I forgot to mention this free tool that I use several times a week in posting online ads. Better than plain text, this HTML editor will allow you to compose an ad in Normal or WYSIWYG ("What You See Is What You Get") mode so you do not need to know how to code HTML to put a nice ad together!

I post a lot to Craigslist and I use this tool regularly. The program is called NVU. The file to download is on the bottom half of the linked screen - depending on which OS you're using.

Click the link below and it'll take you to the company's download page.

I hope this helps!

Cracking the Craigslist Code without Compromising Our Code

Art Hotes, CNE, e-PRO® (Liquid Blue Realty) — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 11:34:57 -0800

Last week I downloaded the e-book, "Cracking the Craigslist Code" by Ad Maker Tool. Did you guys get this too?

I think it's an insightful 50-something page book on marketing strategy for posting properties onto CL. I've used its technique (with my own spin) and will try to keep up with the suggested 48hour postings.

Does anyone have any useful tips or tricks in addition to what's laid out in this e-book?

Here is an example of my most recent posting on CL as a result of reading this document:

Note: I've included both my name and brokerage, which after searching through CL a lot, I notice not everyone got the same memo on the rules regarding advertising!

Keep in mind NAR's 2011 Code of Ethics...

Article 12: Realtors^® shall be honest and truthful in their real estate communications and shall present a true picture in their advertising, marketing, and other representations. Realtors^® shall ensure that their status as real estate professionals is readily apparent in their advertising, marketing, and other representations, and that the recipients of all real estate communications are, or have been, notified that those communications are from a real estate professional. (Amended 1/08)

Standard of Practice 12-5: Realtors^® shall not advertise nor permit any person employed by or affiliated with them to advertise real estate services or listed property in any medium (e.g., electronically, print, radio, television, etc.) without disclosing the name of that Realtor^®'s firm in a reasonable and readily apparent manner. This Standard of Practice acknowledges that disclosing the name of the firm may not be practical in electronic displays of limited information (e.g., thumbnails", text messages, "tweets", etc.). Such displays are exempt from the disclosure requirement established in the Standard of Practice, but only when linked to a display that includes all required disclosures. (Adopted 11/86, Amended 1/11)

Medina, Ohio Dining, Entertainment & Recreation

Art Hotes, CNE, e-PRO® (Liquid Blue Realty) — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 15:26:44 -0700

Medina, Ohio boasts many attributes that bring visitors to the city and to keep residents living in its borders. Medina has a quaint Old Town Square, which intersects Ohio Routes 42, 3, 18, and 57. And within the Square are charming shops & boutiques, historical buildings, the Courthouse, and the beautiful Gazebo that holds much vintage appeal.

Aside from all of the historic attractions that Medina, Ohio has to offer, there are a number of dining, entertainment and recreation options that must be considered when visiting this great town! Here is a list of some of my favorite dining spots that you may wish to consider when in Medina:

Fiesta Jalapeno's (North of the Square)
House of Hunan (On the Square)
Main Street Cafe (On the Square)
Sully's Irish Pub (Just off the Square)
Bullies BBQ (North of the Square)
Eli's Kitchen (On the Square)

Medina's entertainment and recreation scene is another thing to check out. There are a multitude of local Parks, there is a Recreation Center that "is to die for", there are a variety of Golf Courses nearby for the golf enthusiast, a brand new state-of-the-art Library, an Amazone Family Entertainment Center, as well as a host of other things that make this town special!

As a side note, the Town Square has Gazebo concerts and a Farmer's Market (on Saturday mornings) in the summer. Also, there is the popular Rally in the Alley event, hosted by the Main Street Cafe, which runs every Friday night from Memorial Day thru Labor Day and it is something you must attend!

Whether you are a resident or "just passing through", come check out what Medina has to offer - You will not be disappointed!

Courtesy of:
Art Hotes ~ RE/MAX Crossroads
Proudly Serving the Real Estate Needs of Medina, Ohio and Surrounding Communities
330-242-4640
Art@ArtHotes.com
http://ArtHotes.com

Northeastern Ohio Market Watch - May 2010

Art Hotes, CNE, e-PRO® (Liquid Blue Realty) — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 22:31:41 -0700

For May 2010

Medina County
Total Sales: 147
Avg DOM: 104
Avg SP: $175,301

Cuyahoga County
Total Sales: 1,066
Avg DOM: 101
Avg SP: $136,592

Summit County
Total Sales: 408
Avg DOM: 93
Avg SP: $137,111

Lorain County
Total Sales: 231
Avg DOM: 105
Avg SP: $140,762

Courtesy of:
Art Hotes ~ RE/MAX Omega
http://ArtHotes.com

Northeastern Ohio Market Watch - April 2010

Art Hotes, CNE, e-PRO® (Liquid Blue Realty) — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 08:46:20 -0700

Northeastern Ohio Market Watch

For April 2010

Medina County
Total Sales: 200
Avg DOM: 98
Avg SP: $168,496

Cuyahoga County
Total Sales: 1,035
Avg DOM: 103
Avg SP: $126,128

Summit County
Total Sales: 414
Avg DOM: 95
Avg SP: $129,305

Lorain County
Total Sales: 261
Avg DOM: 99
Avg SP: $113,236

Courtesy of:
Art Hotes ~ RE/MAX Omega
http://ArtHotes.com

5482 Wagon Trail -- Medina, OH 44256

Art Hotes, CNE, e-PRO® (Liquid Blue Realty) — Sat, 29 May 2010 08:54:36 -0700

Welcome to 5482 Wagon Trail on the outskirts of the City of Medina, Ohio. This Home, Situated on just under a Half an Acre, has So Much to Offer!

This Well-Maintained Home has 5 Bedrooms (Guest/In-Law Suite Addition on the First Floor), 3.5 Bathrooms, Formal Living Room & Dining Room, a Large Great Room Adjoining the Spacious Eat-in Kitchen, a First Floor Laundry Room, a Fully Finished Lower Level Perfect for Entertaining, a Fenced Backyard with 2 Custom Decks and a Paver Patio with Firepit, a Backyard Workshop Shed with Electric, 3-Car Garage, and So Much More! You've Got to See this Home!!

Just Reduced to $274,900, this Home is a Great Value!

Also, there is No HOA and No City Tax here.

Take the Visual Tour Here!

Cool RE/MAX Hit Site

Art Hotes, CNE, e-PRO® (Liquid Blue Realty) — Sat, 29 May 2010 08:22:15 -0700

I recently came across a "hits site" for RE/MAX where it tracks the current (actually within the past minute) number of searches conducted through REMAX.com.

The site is http://WorkingForYou.remax.com. Have you seen this before? I never heard about this site until recently while in another local RE/MAX broker's office and this was being displayed on their conference room's TV.

Check it out, it's pretty cool!

Boycotting HP Products

Art Hotes, CNE, e-PRO® (Liquid Blue Realty) — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 14:17:39 -0800

I have a fairly strong background in computers and related equipment. So, I try to stay on top of the latest technologies as best as my wallet can afford.

I have to tell you that I'm quite tired of dealing with HP! Why? you ask... Let me paint you a picture and you decide.

Imagine if you will... You have several years experience using HP printers and scanners, so you purchase a seemingly well-built multifunction unit to handle your business needs. You have lots of experience in the past with HP, so you have no hesitation in buying another one because your experience was so good. The model I purchased, so you know what I'm dealing with, is the HP LaserJet 3055 multifunction (print/scan/copy/fax) machine. Ok... so when I purchased this unit, it worked great with some connectivity issues with the scanner function over my network, but it wasn't horrible. Now, let me also tell you that when I got that machine, I was working with nothing but Windows XP operating systems.

Well, last year both my desktop PC and my laptop died - I no longer had my Windows XP systems. When I went out to look for a new machine to cover my workload, the ONLY operating systems that was offered on laptops & PC's in stores was Windows Vista x64. I didn't foresee that as a problem at the time. Afterall, that's the only OS (operating system) offered! Surely HP had drivers to accommodate my new computer!... Haha, Nope!

HP offers only a "universal driver" for my multifunction unit, which means that basically I can print to it but no scans are possible. I could NOT believe it! HP didn't cover me?! Well, in my dismay I contacted their technical support and here's what they told me...

You're gonna love this...

Paraphrasing: Yes, we know that the LaserJet 3055 does not support Vista 64-bit. We have no plans on offering new drivers to support Vista-64. You have two options... Buy our new [more expensive - about $900] model, or get a dummy PC running Windows XP.

Now this response was from their tech support guru! I was very ticked off! But in my desperation, I went out and bought an inexpensive netbook to catch those scans that couldn't go to my primary computer. And I've got to tell you... that is NOT an ideal scenario! Looking back on it all, I should have just gone out and bought a different manufacturer's multifunction unit rather than spending $300 on a netbook, dealing with a 10" screen, and transferring the PDF files over to my main computer after the scan. It's all a nightmare!

So, long story short... I'm moving ALL of my future business AWAY from HP, who in the past reigned king to me for printers & scanners!

I'm currently in communication with Brother's product manager to make sure whatever I choose is fully supported! They look to be decently-built machines and I can't wait to get away from HP!

Fraud Alert: 2010 Census

Art Hotes, CNE, e-PRO® (Liquid Blue Realty) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 14:58:56 -0700

Today, I received an email that I thought may benefit Everyone in the U.S. who reads it. Please feel free to ReBlog it or copy & paste it to help spread the word. Let's help stop fraud!

2010 Census Cautions

Be Cautious About Giving Info to Census Workers. With the U.S. Census process beginning, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) advises people to be cooperative, but cautious, so as not to become a victim of fraud or identity theft. The first phase of the 2010 U.S. Census is under way as workers have begun verifying the addresses of households across the country. Eventually, more than 140,000 U.S. Census workers will count every person in the United States and will gather information about every person living at each address including name, age, gender, race, and other relevant data. The big question is - how do you tell the difference between a U.S. Census worker and a con artist? BBB offers the following advice:

** If a U.S. Census worker knocks on your door, they will have a badge, a hand held device, a Census Bureau canvas bag, and a confidentiality notice. Ask to see their identification and their badge before answering their questions. However, you should never invite anyone you don't know into your home.

** Census workers are currently only knocking on doors to verify address information. Do not give your Social Security number, credit card or banking information to anyone, even if they claim they need it for the U.S. Census. While the Census Bureau might ask for basic financial information, such as a salary range, it will not ask for Social Security, bank account, or credit card numbers nor will employees solicit donations.

Eventually, Census workers may contact you by telephone, mail, or in person at home. However, they will not contact you by Email, so be on the lookout for Email scams impersonating the Census.

Never click on a link or open any attachments in an Email that are Supposedly from the U.S. Census Bureau.

For more advice on avoiding identity theft and fraud, visit www.bbb.org/us/ and http://www.bbb.org/us/article/10306 (Source: Tipster email and BBB website)

Average Market Data from 3/16/08 - 9/16/08 for Medina, Cuyahoga, Lorain and Summit Counties

Art Hotes, CNE, e-PRO® (Liquid Blue Realty) — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 16:01:36 -0700

I like to keep a close eye on our Market Condition, as it affects us all. Here is a snapshot of the market statistics for the 6-month time frame of 3/16/08 - 9/16/08 for Medina County, Cuyahoga County, Lorain County and Summit County. Please note that these numbers are averages of all listed properties transacted between the given sale prices for that period of time. This should be a good indicator of sale price per square foot and the ratio between list price to sale price.

Unfortunately though, non-distressed home sales are lumped in with bank owned properties and foreclosures, which hurt the overall condition of the market. Because of that, you will see lower than desired statistics, as those distressed properties sell for much less - typically because they've been neglected in various ways.

Sale Price $0 - $100,000
County	Units Sold	Sq.Ft.	LP	LP/Sq.Ft.	SP	SP/Sq.Ft.	SP/LP	DOM
CUY	3433	1,286	$44,871	$34.89	$39,380	$30.62	87.8%	86
LOR	656	1,261	$56,163	$44.54	$49,285	$39.08	87.8%	77
MED	91	1,289	$74,396	$57.72	$69,330	$53.79	93.2%	90
SUM	154	1,253	$73,077	$58.32	$66,620	$53.17	91.2%	103


Sale Price $100,000 - $200,000
County	Units Sold	Sq.Ft.	LP	LP/Sq.Ft.	SP	SP/Sq.Ft.	SP/LP	DOM
CUY	2288	1,619	$148,323	$91.61	$141,433	$87.36	95.4%	94
LOR	516	1,665	$146,689	$88.10	$140,542	$84.41	95.8%	88
MED	409	1,734	$159,839	$92.18	$153,769	$88.68	96.2%	98
SUM	392	1,525	$155,007	$101.64	$148,411	$97.32	95.7%	90


Sale Price $200,000 - $300,000
County	Units Sold	Sq.Ft.	LP	LP/Sq.Ft.	SP	SP/Sq.Ft.	SP/LP	DOM
CUY	673	2,409	$253,908	$105.40	$240,622	$99.88	94.8%	96
LOR	222	2,417	$259,000	$107.16	$244,892	$101.32	94.6%	104
MED	193	2,534	$245,229	$96.78	$236,124	$93.18	96.3%	104
SUM	257	2,405	$255,133	$106.08	$243,385	$101.20	95.4%	98


Sale Price $300,000 - $400,000
County	Units Sold	Sq.Ft.	LP	LP/Sq.Ft.	SP	SP/Sq.Ft.	SP/LP	DOM
CUY	263	3,030	$362,759	$119.72	$344,868	$113.82	95.1%	103
LOR	72	3,018	$357,420	$118.43	$340,047	$112.67	95.1%	102
MED	57	3,352	$360,816	$107.64	$346,170	$103.27	95.9%	118
SUM	122	3,136	$355,989	$113.52	$339,911	$108.39	95.5%	96

All Data is Based on Average Recorded Sales in NORMLS between 3/16/08 - 9/16/08

No More Downpayment Assistance?

Art Hotes, CNE, e-PRO® (Liquid Blue Realty) — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 08:22:05 -0700

President Bush signed the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 into law on July 30, 2008. Included in this bill was the elimination of downpayment assistance programs, such as the AmeriDream Charity Program and the Nehemiah Program. Downpayment assistance programs will be terminated as of October 1st of this year.

While the Recovery Act was intended to "rescue" the housing industry, the elimination of the downpayment assistance programs will have a negative effect on its intended purpose. Not only did the Recovery Act eliminate these programs, it also instituted a downpayment requirement increase from 3 percent to 3.5 percent.

Do what I did and let your voice be heard by writing Congress today! For more information about this topic and to write your congressman, visit GROUNDSWELL today!

Thank you,

Art Hotes, e-PRO REALTOR®
RE/MAX Classic ~ Serving Northeastern Ohio
mailto:Art@ArtHotes.com
http://www.ArtHotes.com

Sales Statistics for MEDINA County, Ohio

Art Hotes, CNE, e-PRO® (Liquid Blue Realty) — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 21:59:54 -0700

Sales Statistics for MEDINA County, Ohio

Single Family Residence
Time Period	Number of Sales	Median Sale Price
Jan 2008	141	$175,500
Jan 2007	94	$170,000
Dec 2007	176	$189,220
Dec 2006	145	$163,300
2008 YTD	292	$171,450
2007	2,435	$185,000

Condominium
Time Period	Number of Sales	Median Sale Price
Jan 2008	6	$101,450
Jan 2007	24	$147,000
Dec 2007	18	$104,250
Dec 2006	32	$129,700
2008 YTD	23	$120,000
2007	374	$130,000

Tips for Repairing Bad Credit & Purchasing Real Estate

Art Hotes, CNE, e-PRO® (Liquid Blue Realty) — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 16:41:05 -0800

Are you looking to purchase real estate, but perhaps your credit isn't where you'd like it to be?

Here is a few tips to help prepare yourself (and possibly repair your credit) in order to buy that home of your dreams:

You should always retain all bank statements and pay stubs

If you're renting, make your rental payments with a check, consistently, and keep a copy of the cancelled checks

Put as many utilities in your name and, of course, make sure they are paid on time. On time is defined as a payment no more than 15 days past the due date

Use a credit card to make purchases normally made during the month such as the purchase of gas, food, haircuts, etc.

Try to reduce the number of inquiries made into your credit

Increase the credit limit on your credit cards without using the additional amount. The lower the balance to credit limit ratio is, can improve your credit score.

If possible, do not make any major purchases just prior to buying a home, this can negatively effect your debt ratio

If you are receiving a gift for down payment and associated costs of closing a loan for a home, make sure that gift comes from a blood relative's account and make sure the money is placed in the borrowers account 60 prior to loan application.

If you are looking to purchase, NOW really is a good time to take the plunge! I hope these tips help!

Good luck with your real estate pursuits. If you need any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Art Hotes
RE/MAX Classic
mailto:Art@ArtHotes.com
http://ArtHotes.com

FHA Downpayment Assistance Programs

Art Hotes, CNE, e-PRO® (Liquid Blue Realty) — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 09:44:43 -0700

Downpayment Assistance Rule:

FHA will issue official guidance regarding implementation of the regulation regarding a mortgagor’s cash investment. In the interim, to address the questions raised by many industry partners, FHA is providing the following information:

1. Nehemiah Corporation of America, due to a previous Settlement Agreement and as discussed in the rule, is granted relief from the effective date of the rule until April 1, 2008.

2. HUD has agreed to grant the AmeriDream Downpayment Assistance Program relief from the effective date of the rule until February 29, 2008.

3. All other similar downpayment assistance providers have not been granted relief from the effective date of the rule, which is October 31, 2007.

Provided that the homebuyer has entered into a contract of sale (including any amendments to purchase price) on or before October 31, 2007, FHA will recognize the gift if made to the homebuyer and properly documented as an acceptable source of the downpayment.

To read the final rule in its entirety and for more information please visit: http://hudclips.org/sub_nonhud/cgi/pdf/4846a.pdf

13821 Grove Drive - Garfield Heights, OH 44125

Art Hotes, CNE, e-PRO® (Liquid Blue Realty) — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:54:51 -0700

Welcome HOME... to this Comfortable Bi-Level at 13821 Grove Drive in Garfield Heights, Ohio 44125!

Price:	$147,500
MLS Number:	2416840
Bedrooms:	3 + Den
Bathrooms:	1.5
Square Feet:	1699
Acreage :	0.14
Lot Size :	60 x 100
Year Built:	1962
Taxes:	1586 / half

Lot and Neighborhood Description:
This home is situated in a pleasant community of established homes and mature trees. You are just minutes away from the Cuyahoga Valley Towpath and the scenic railroad depot, health facilities, shopping, and restaurants.The lot is 60' wide by 100' deep and is 0.14 acres of well-maintained property with gorgeous mature trees!

The school system is Garfield Hts City, Ohio School District 1815.

Additional Features:

Nearly 1,700 Square Feet of Living Space!
HARDWOOD FLOORS!!
Updated Kitchen
Newer Family Room Carpet
Backyard Deck & Patio
Walk-out Basement

Living Room: 18 x 13
Imagine yourself enjoying special occasions with family and friends in your large Vaulted Living Room. This room has a large front window with southern exposure that lets the light in throughout the day! Complete with hardwood floors, this fine space offers the warmth that any house needs to call it HOME!

Kitchen: 23 x 10
Your bright eat-in Kitchen has been well taken care of and has been updated to give it a modern appeal. Enjoy casual meals in this wonderful eat-in kitchen large enough for a table of 10! A breakfast bar, elegant counters, and a stone-like vinyl flooring top off this great kitchen.

Family Room: 17 x 11
Your family and friends will be relaxed in this cozy Family Room, complete with newer neutral berber carpeting. And a large front window with southern exposure keeps things light and bright!

Master Bedroom: 14 x 10
Relax in your Master Bedroom, featuring wall-to-wall carpeting (with hardwood floors underneath) and windows with views of the backyard and the side yard.

Bedroom #2: 13 x 10
This great bedroom also has wall-to-wall carpeting (with hardwood floors underneath) and two windows with front yard views and another window that views the side yard.

Bedroom #3: 10 x 10
This bedroom is light and airy and has wall-to-wall carpeting (with hardwood floors underneath) and a window with front-yard views.

Den or Possible Bedroom #4: 10 x 9'6
How would YOU use this great extra space? A bedroom? A home office, perhaps? The options seem limitless!

2½ -Car Garage:
Protect your cars and store your Stuff! This garage features an automatic garage opener (and controls), a floor drain, and lots of room for storage.

Outdoor Entertainment Area:
One of the things you are going to love about this home is the great yard, the well-maintained landscaping, and the outdoor living areas set among the mature trees! Have backyard barbecues and enjoy the deck and patio!

What is it like when you imagine your family enjoying this home?

1015 Ty Drive Medina, Ohio 44256

Art Hotes, CNE, e-PRO® (Liquid Blue Realty) — Sun, 06 May 2007 17:49:46 -0700

Family-Friendly Home in a Family-Friendly Subdivision

Reasonably Offered at $194,900

1015 Ty Drive
Medina, OH 44256

MLS# 2374461
Colonial style home built in 1981
Medina Local Schools
2,096 Sq.Ft.
4 Bedrooms
2-1/2 Full Baths
0.33 Acres
ALL NEWER APPLIANCES INCLUDED IN SALE!

For a Virtual Tour of this home CLICK HERE.

Thank you.

Art Hotes
"The Art of Real Estate"
ahotes@remax.net
http://www.arthotes.com/

Top 10 Foreclosed Ohio Counties in 2006

Art Hotes, CNE, e-PRO® (Liquid Blue Realty) — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 16:11:33 -0700

I read a discouraging report today from Ohio Association of REALTORs, which identified all the Ohio Counties and their rankings with each other on the number of foreclosures per capita in 2006.

Here are the Top 10 most foreclosed Ohio Counties per capita in 2006:

1. Cuyahoga - 1 out of every 96.6 people
2. Montgomery - 1 out of every 106.8 people
3. Summit - 1 out of every 113.0 people
4. Lucus - 1 out of every 123.1 people
5. Franklin - 1 out of every 123.5 people
6. Clark - 1 out of every 127.5 people
7. Mahoning - 1 out of every 129.0 people
8. Marion - 1 out of every 132.5 people
9. Lorain - 1 out of every 134.1 people
10. Highland - 1 out of every 135.1 people

No wonder why there is much scrutiny over loose lending practices!

REFERRALS WANTED

Art Hotes, CNE, e-PRO® (Liquid Blue Realty) — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 12:34:43 -0800

Hello Fellow AR Groupies!

My name is Art Hotes and I am with RE/MAX Classic Realty Group in Northeastern Ohio. I would be thrilled to help you with your Ohio Referrals.

I work in Cuyahoga County (Cleveland area), Medina County (Medina area), Summit County (Akron area) and Lorain County (Elyria area).

If you have any Ohio-bound clients, etc., please feel free to contact me today!

Thank you, in advance, for your Consideration and Referrals!!

Art Hotes
"The ART of Real Estate"
RE/MAX Classic
330-242-4640
ahotes@remax.net
www.ArtHotes.com

Comparable Sales and Your Offer to Purchase Price

Art Hotes, CNE, e-PRO® (Liquid Blue Realty) — Mon, 05 Feb 2007 07:38:11 -0800

Determining Your Offer Price

When you prepare an offer to purchase a home, you already know the seller's asking price. But what price are you going to offer and how do you come up with that figure?

Determining your offer price is a three-step process. First, you look at recent sales of similar properties to come up with a price range. Then, you analyze additional data, such as the condition of the home, improvements made to the property, current market conditions, and the circumstances of the seller. This will help you settle on a price you think would be fair to pay for the home. Finally, depending on your negotiating style, you adjust your "fair" price and come up with what you want to put in your offer.

Comparable Sales

The first step in determining the price you are willing to offer is to look at the recent sales of similar homes. These are called "comparable sales." Comparable sales are recent sales of homes that compare closely to the one you are looking to purchase. Specifically, you want to compare prices of homes that are similar in square footage, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, garage space, lot size, and type of construction.

If the home you are interested in is part of a tract of homes, then you will most likely find some exact model matches to compare against one another.

There are three main sources of information on comparable sales, all of which are easily accessed by a real estate agent. It is somewhat more difficult for the general public to access this data, and in some cases impossible. Two of the most obvious information sources are the public record and the Multiple Listing Service.

Comparable Sales in the Public Record

The most accessible source of information on comparable sales is the public record. When someone buys a home the property is deeded from the seller to the buyer. In most circumstances, this deed is recorded at the local county recorder's office. They combine sales data with information already known about the property so they can assess property taxes correctly.

Provided there have been no additions to the property, the information available from the public record is usually correct regarding sales price, square footage, and numbers of rooms. This makes it easy to use the public record as a source of data for comparable sale information.

Accessing the data is another matter, at least for the general public. Realtors can generally look up this information through title insurance companies. The title companies either compile the data directly from the county recorder's office or purchase it from other companies.

One problem with the public record is that it tends to run at least six to eight weeks behind. Add another four to six weeks for the typical escrow period and you can see the data is not current. The most current information is the most valuable.

Comparable Sales in the Multiple Listing Service

Most of the public is aware that the Multiple Listing Service is a private resource where Realtors list properties available for sale. Recently, the public has been able to access some of that information on such sites as Realtor.com, MSN HomeAdvisor, and others.

Once a property is sold and the transaction has closed, the selling price is posted to the listing in the Multiple Listing Service. Over time, it has become a huge database on past sales, containing much more information on individual homes than can be gleaned from the public record. This information is only available to real estate agents who are members of the local Multiple Listing Service.

Your agent will provide you with this data to help determine your offer price.

Comparable Sales - Pending Transactions

The most valuable information would be the most current, of course. A sale last week has more validity in helping you determine a purchase price than a sale from six months ago. The problem is that there is no actual record of the sales price until the transaction is completed. The information is not available in the public record because no deed has yet been recorded.

Neither is the information available in the Multiple Listing Service. Once a property is sold, it becomes a "pending sale" and all pricing information is removed from the listing. Prices are not posted until it becomes a "closed sale." This protects the seller in case the transaction falls apart and the property is placed back on the market. It would give an unfair advantage to future potential buyers if they already knew what price the seller had been willing to accept in the past.

However, if a Realtor has a reason to know the sales price, they can usually find out through professional courtesy. Also, some real estate brokerages post sales information on a transaction board in their office.

Other Factors Influencing Your Offer Price

Gathering and analyzing information from comparable sales helps to establish the range of prices you should consider when making an offer to buy a home. More weight should be given to the most recent sales, but even so, you need to do a bit more analysis before setting upon the price you will offer. That is because you also need to consider the condition of the property, improvements, the current market, and the circumstances behind the seller's decision to sell.